Remembering longtime Sarasota GOP activist Hal Miller

A lot of Republicans will proudly tell you they are Reagan Republicans.

In this area, some might be old enough to talk about being Goldwater Republicans.

But in the spring of 2004, Republican Party activist Hal Miller shook my hand for the first time with a rock solid hand shake and pulled me closer: “I’ve been a Republican since Eisenhower.”

It was that long dedication to the Republican Party all those years that has Sarasota Republicans mourning his passing this week.

Miller died on July 20 at the age of 85.

Miller, who lived in Sarasota for 45 years, joined the Sarasota Republican Executive Committee in 1973 and served as the local party’s elected state committeeman for 20 years. That role had Miller traveling to state party functions around the state for two decades at his own expense to give Sarasota Republicans a voice in state party issues.

“He was one of the most dedicated people to the Republican Party that I have ever met,” said State Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota. “I had nothing but respect for him.”

“Hal never let up,” Sarasota Republican Party chairman Joe Gruters said in an email to fellow Republicans this week.
Gruters said it wasn’t just the Republican Party. But Miller was fully invested with local church groups, patriotic organizations and other community organizations.

“He remained involved with many of these organizations until the time of his passing, showing his courage and determination to try to make this a better place for others,” Gruters said.

Former Sarasota Republican Party chairman Tramm Hudson was county GOP chair for 6 years during Miller’s tenure as statecommittee man. Hudson said he got in a few battles with Miller, but always respected him for his service to the party and his committment to the country. He said one thing Miller could never be questioned on what his dedication to the groups and organizations he was a part of.

“He had a big heart and was committed to the Republican Party,” Hudson said. “He was ferociously patriotic.”
Last year, the party gave Miller a lifetime achievement award before 1,600 Republicans at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Jeremy Wallace

Jeremy Wallace has covered politics for more than 15 years.
He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4966.
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Last modified: July 24, 2014
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